Hoonah & Icy Strait Point Travel in Alaska
We have driven dozens of road trips all across North America! But one of our favorite destinations, Hoonah in Alaska, is not accessible by car, truck or SUV.
 Alaska ... the 49th State |
Hoonah is situated on the northwest shore of Chichagof Island across Icy Strait from the entrance to Glacier Bay on Alaska’s scenic Inside Passage.
Initially a Tlingit village, Hoonah remains the largest Tlingit community today and members of the Hoonah Tlingit tribe have lived in the area for thousands of years.
Known as the Little City with a Big Heart, Hoonah is a family-oriented and closely-knit community of friendly and caring people.
Hoonah is about 40 air miles west of the Alaska Capitol in Juneau. It is assigned USPS ZIp Code 99829.
Hoonah Today
The city is an Alaskan first class city and provides all municipal services including police, utilities and road maintenance. The city also maintains a city park near the harbor built in 2010 and a youth center.
The permanent population of Hoonah is nearly 900 residents.
 Welcome to Hoonah, Alaska ... Settled in 1754 |
Hunters, hikers, campers, boaters and fishers all visit Hoonah as tourists throughout the year. The mild weather, much like that of Seattle, attracts tourists to the city.
Arriving in Hoonah by Water
Hoonah, being an island community, is only accessible by boat or plane. The Alaska Marine Highway serves Hoonah with the M/V LeConte which offers residents a slower but more dependable and cheaper option to travel to and from Hoonah to Juneau.
Visiting Hoonah by Cruise Ship
Alaska is a premier cruise ship destination in the United States, with stops in destinations like Anchorage, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Hoonah.
During May through September, cruise ships from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Princess, Seabourn, Viking, Carnival and other lines dock in Hoonah and provide a variety of shore excursions.
 The Celebrity Infinity cruise ship docked in Hoonah |
Passengers enjoy the area's waterways, wildlife and seafood, and ride zip lines, hike, fish, tour historic museums and kayak.
Flying to Hoonah
The Hoonah Airport was expanded in 2011 and now has a 3,000-foot (910 m) runway. The airport is planned for expansion to better allow military C-130s from the Coast Guard and Air National Guard to land in Hoonah. The airport offers service via bush carrier Alaska Seaplanes which offers multiple flights a day between Hoonah and Juneau and other local communities.
Connections can be made in Juneau with Alaska Airlines or Delta Air Lines for regional and interstate travel, or on bush carriers traveling to remote villages or communities from Juneau.
| Map showing the location of Hoonah relative to other Alaska cities, parks and preserves |
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| The brilliant, blue open waters of Icy Strait in Alaska |
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Visit Hoonah Soon!
We have visited Hoonah and and have enjoyed the many sights and attractions in the city, and surrounding natural areas.
Spend a day, ideally many more, and enjoy and explore the beauty and attractions of the area!
Map of the Hoonah Area in Alaska
Icy Strait Point
 Map of Icy Strait Point in Hoonah |
Hoonah is home to Icy Strait Point, one of the world’s most productive salmon canneries. The facility was initially built in 1912 and then re-built in the early 2000s to become a port for cruise ships.
The cannery also houses a museum, local arts and crafts shops, restaurants, the ZipRider, and a cannery line display from the mid-1930’s which makes it a great attraction for visitors.
The old fish cannery, which ceased operations in the 1950s, located near Icy Strait, was obtained by the Huna Totem Corporation (HTC), the village ANCSA Corporation. The road to the site, Cannery Road, was paved in 2000 and the site was converted into a tourism destination for cruise ship passengers.
Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village.
Read more at the Website of IcyStraitPoint.com
| The layout of Icy Strait Point showing key attractions and destinations |
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| The Adventure Center at Icy Strait Point |
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The Pier at Icy Strait Point
| The pier at Icy Strait Point |
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| Quiet waters off the pier at Hoonah, Alaska |
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The popular Crab Station on the pier at Icy Strait Point The Crab Station serves Alaska’s best king, snow and Dungeness crab. When in season, fresh Dungeness crabs are caught in local waters and kept alive until cooked. |
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Icy Strait Cannery and Museum
A centerpiece of Icy Strait Point is the cannery and museum, carefully restored and offering a great historical overview of the area, and its people.
Outside the Icy Strait Museum
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All about Buoys
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Crab Traps |
| One of the display areas in the Icy Strait Museum |
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Safe Harbor
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"Hoonah was a very critical port during the early years. At times, sailors would frequently come to Hoonah and wait out storms and rough seas. Often times, sailboats and fishing vessels would line the shoreline and docks for up to one mile." |
| Shop for authentic Alaska gifts at 12 shops located in the historic Cannery complex. All stores are 100% Alaskan-owned and are dedicated to presenting a true Alaskan experience. |
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The ZipRiderIcy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330’ zip lines dropping 1330’. After launching, riders quickly accelerate to speeds exceeding 60 mph as they soar 300 feet above the rainforest below. |
View from the top of the ZipRider in Hoonah With up to six guests descending at once, this is also a great family or group activity! |
Hiking Around Hoonah
With its location between numerous waterways, rainforests and mountains, the Hoonah area is a perfect locale for hiking.
| Hiking in the Hoonah wilderness |
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| The deep quiet of the Alaskan rainforest at Hoonah |
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| Lush, green ferns and foliage in early spring in Hoonah |
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Canoes and Kayaks
Canoe and kayak tours are popular activities in Hoonah. Chose from those close to town, or further into wilderness areas.
| Enjoy a canoe or kayak trip on the waters around Hoonah |
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Fishing
 Alaskan Salmon ... plentiful around Hoonah |
Hoonah is a sport fishing haven due to the various species of salmon and trout that inhabit the area waters.
Depending on the time of the year fishermen can catch Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden Trout, Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon and Steelhead.
Fishing gear, tackle and related equipment are typically provided by various fishing guides.
The Wildlife of Hoonah
Chichagoff Island is home to more brown bears than humans, and it is a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore.
The Spasski River valley is famous for having one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world! Wildlife and bear search tours are available. The area is also populated with beavers, otters, mink, deer, geese, ducks, sea lions and other native creatures!
Bears are plentiful in the area
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The majestic Golden Eagle |
| Whale watching tours in the waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus at Hoonah |
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 White picket fence with spring flowers in Hoonah, Alaska |
Restaurant Options in Hoonah
The Crab Station on the Icy Strait Pier is a popular dining option, serving Alaska’s best king, snow and Dungeness crab. When in season, fresh Dungeness crab is caught in local waters and kept alive until cooked.
Other dining options include the Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant and the Cookhouse Restaurant.
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Restaurant reviews and dining options in Hoonah ... |
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More Information and Resources about Hoonah |